Real Betis will continue their quest for Champions League qualification when they travel to El Sadar to face Osasuna on Saturday.
The hosts, meanwhile, are trying to remain focused on league matters as the countdown continues to their Copa del Rey final meeting with Real Madrid on May 6.
Match preview
© Reuters
After winning seven of their opening 13 games of the La Liga season, Osasuna have managed to win just three of their last 16 league matches.
They were unable to claim a positive result last weekend, losing 2-1 away to Rayo Vallecano, with Moi Gomez's second-half strike proving to be a mere consolation goal.
Due to their poor run of results, 10th-placed Osasuna have fallen away from the European spots and are now nine points adrift of the top six.
However, the 2022-23 campaign could still be the most memorable one in Osasuna's history, as they have the chance to win the Copa del Rey for the very first time next month.
With four league games to play before Osasuna face Real Madrid in Seville, Jagoba Arrasate will be keen for his side to embark on a positive run of form as they look to build momentum ahead of their second-ever Copa del Rey final.
© Reuters
After suffering consecutive defeats to Atletico Madrid and Cadiz without scoring, Betis got their top-four bid back on track last weekend, easing to a 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Espanyol.
Ayoze Perez and Juan Miranda grabbed a goal apiece to give Los Verdiblancos a 2-0 lead at half time, but their advantage was quickly halved after the break when Cesar Montes produced a sublime bicycle kick.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, William Carvalho found the net to quash any hopes of an Espanyol comeback, ensuring that Betis picked up a victory which moved them to within three points of fourth-placed Real Sociedad.
Manuel Pellegrini's side will face the Basque club next week in a game that could define their top-four hopes, but first, they must focus on Saturday's trip to Pamplona.
Although Betis were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on penalties by Osasuna in January, they have enjoyed success in league games against the Rojillos, having won the last six league meetings between the two sides.
Team News
© Reuters
Elche are unable to call upon the services of Darko Brasanac, who is set to spend several months on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury earlier this month.
There are doubts surrounding the availability of Chimy Avila, Ruben Garcia and Lucas Torro, while Gomez is suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards.
After dropping down to the bench last weekend, Ante Budemir is set to return to the starting XI to feature in a front three alongside Kike Barja and Abde Ezzalzouli.
As for the visitors, Youssouf Sabaly and Nabil Fekir will both miss out through injury, while Sergio Canales and Aitor Ruibal are suspended for Saturday's encounter.
Carvalho could drop back into defensive midfield alongside Guido Rodriguez, which will allow Rodri to come into the starting lineup.
Betis legend Joaquin announced on Wednesday that he will retire from football at the end of the season, and the 41-year-old may have a role to play off the bench against Osasuna.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Vidal, Aridane, D. Garcia, Sanchez; Ibanez, Moncayola, Oroz; Barja, Ezzalzouli, Budemir
Real Betis possible starting lineup:
Silva; Montoya, Felipe, Gonzalez, Miranda; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Henrique, Rodri, Perez; Iglesias
We say: Osasuna 1-2 Real Betis
Although Osasuna will be determined to remain focused on their La Liga campaign, it is difficult for their players not to become distracted by the final that is waiting in the distance.
In contrast, Betis are highly motivated for Saturday's game as they look to maintain their top-four bid and after winning their last six league games against Osasuna, we think that they will continue their impressive head-to-head record by claiming a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
